Vance Joseph put in ‘tough spot’ with Bradley Roby absence on Monday

Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby (29) before an AFC West showdown between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs on December 25, 2016 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Following the news that cornerback Bradley Roby missed meetings and film study on Monday, “The Drive” co-host Alfred Williams said the action required the Denver Broncos to “consider further penalties.”

Williams said reports that Roby was sick doesn’t check out in his book, and if the absence was unexcused, the Broncos organization needs to take a principled stand.

“Do I believe that Bradley Roby was sick? No.” Williams said. “… Maybe he was disgruntled. Maybe he was angry. Maybe he was upset. But too sick to go to work?”

However, with injuries at the cornerback position lingering and depth issues at the position, “Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley said he doesn’t believe head coach Vance Joseph can afford to sit down Roby against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

“But I don’t think any way possible in this situation that you can sit him down because of the circumstance,” Stokley said. “I know people will be like, well, that shouldn’t dictate how you handle the locker room and the team, but the facts are the facts. You need to win this football game.

“If you get embarrassed, you might be gone. You’ve got to think about it from (Joseph’s) perspective.”

“Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth said that Roby’s absence on Monday is indicative of a “cultural issue” within the Broncos locker room.

“You’re saying, hey, I had a bad game and my time is more important than your time. And I’m going to sit out and pout, and I don’t want to show up,” Schlereth said. “And if that’s the culture of the organization, then something has to change. There have to be dramatic consequences for those types of actions.”

Schlereth called it a “serious issue” that needs to be dealt with “in a serious manner.”

Stokley said he would fine Roby the max amount of money, put him in front of the team and say his actions were not acceptable, but he would not suspend the cornerback.

“Now, if John Elway comes to him and says, hey, we’re sitting his tail down. We’re suspending him for the week or whatever, then you do it,” Stokley said. “But if John’s not on board with it and if John’s OK with him playing, as a head coach, and you’re trying to fight for your survival, I’m not suspending him.”